Wednesday 6 September 2017

Mental health at work: the business costs ten years on

Mental health at work: the business costs ten years on This report finds that mental health problems in the UK workforce cost employers almost £35 billion last year. The largest part of this business cost is in the form of reduced productivity among people who are at work but unwell: or ‘presenteeism’. This costs businesses twice as much as sickness absence relating to poor mental health. Centre for Mental Health

Shock survey reveals half of UK GPs are ‘drastically’ unaware of black men’s increased risk

Shock survey reveals half of UK GPs are ‘drastically’ unaware of black men’s increased risk Black men in the UK have double the risk of developing prostate cancer compared to other men, yet only 51% of GPs in the UK are aware of their heightened risk – according to new research released today by Prostate Cancer UK. Even more worryingly, almost a third of those doctors were located in regions with large black populations.

Our national survey of over 400 GPs revealed only 7% said that they always initiated conversations about prostate cancer with black men. They were also more likely to instigate such discussions with men with a known family history of the disease, despite race being an equally dangerous risk factor. Prostate Cancer UK

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'We couldn't see an NHS dentist so we pulled out our own teeth'

'We couldn't see an NHS dentist so we pulled out our own teeth' A couple in need of dental care say they had to pull out their own teeth because no NHS dentist will treat them.

A BBC News analysis of 2,500 dental practices on the NHS Choices website found half were not accepting new adult NHS patients, while two-fifths were not accepting new child NHS patients.

The British Dental Association (BDA) said the figures reflected an "emerging crisis" in dental care in England.

NHS England said 95% of people seeking an appointment could get one. BBC News

Families left devastated by false claims of FGM in girls

Families left devastated by false claims of FGM in girls Some children in the UK have spent months on child protection plans - or in foster care - on the false suspicion they are victims of female genital mutilation, a BBC report has found.

The BBC understands that it can take months for children to be examined in cases where FGM is suspected.

Children can be separated from their parents while inquiries take place.

Experts say that in the majority of cases, when examined by a specialist, it turns out the child has not had FGM. BBC News

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Learning the lingo

Learning the lingo Doctors who have travelled to Scotland as refugees are being given the chance to start working for the NHS through a training scheme. The BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme has been to meet those involved.

"When people say, 'I had a couple of beers', they don't mean two," jokes instructor Dr Patrick Grant, a retired A&E doctor training refugees to work for NHS Scotland - including in how to overcome cultural barriers.

One of his students is Fatema, who previously worked as a surgeon in the Middle East until she was forced to flee.

Having treated anti-government protesters in her home country, she herself had become a government target.

"I wish one day this country will be proud of me," she says. BBC News

The Government Has Quietly Shelved NHS 18-Week Waiting Time Target

The Government Has Quietly Shelved NHS 18-Week Waiting Time Target The government has quietly shelved 18-week NHS waiting times for elective surgery, according to a Labour peer.

Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath said he believes ministers may have acted unlawfully by removing the target from the NHS Regulations for 2017, without making a public statement or informing Parliament.

One of three key targets, along with A&E waiting times and cancer treatment referrals, the NHS was previously required to ensure 92% of patients waiting for non-urgent surgery were treated within 18 weeks. The service has repeatedly missed all three key targets in recent years. Huffington Post UK

Longest-serving health secretary Jeremy Hunt completes five years in post

Longest-serving health secretary Jeremy Hunt completes five years in post Jeremy Hunt this week completed five years as health secretary. GPonline looks back at half a decade that has seen MPIG scrapped, the start of revalidation and CQC inspections, junior doctor strikes and the emergence of a full-blown GP crisis.

One in twelve NHS patient prescriptions contain an error

One in twelve NHS patient prescriptions contain an error More than 80million prescriptions given to patients are wrong, Jeremy Hunt has warned.

Patients routinely receive the incorrect medication or dosage because of errors by doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

The Health Secretary will launch a major review of prescribing mistakes in the next few months. The Daily Mail